So, it seems to become successful as a novelist, one has to do the following:

Write a lot.

Edit a lot.

Proof a lot more.

Repeat 2-3 several times.

Market successfully.

The stickler for me seems to be #5 up there. Why? Because as someone on the receiving end of marketing, I find most of it obnoxious, condescending, and annoying. Most of the time, it turns me off. But, I have no idea if I’m the norm or an anomaly. So, what draws people in? Keeps them from hitting mute? Encourages them not to surf away as fast as possible?

6 Responses to What marketing annoys you the least?

Anything that asks me a question, entertains me, is subtle. When I think of the advertising that’s worked on me, that’s convinced me to buy a book, it’s usually funny or interesting posts on Facebook (that aren’t ads, just good posts by authors), contests (I like winning things) and posts for free books.

I think the most effective advertisement convinces the consumer that their life will be improved by this product by tapping into whatever ideals are important to them: family, health, aesthetics, etc. It’s subtle and deceptive because a lot of time, the product doesn’t affect those things at all. But it works, by getting the consumer to think they’re somehow deficient without it.

But honest advertisement/marketing, that aims to make you aware of actual benefits of something? Rare indeed, but able to create a true and honest following. There’s a reason why creative products (books, music, movies) thrive on word-of-mouth advertising. You trust your best friend’s opinion way more than a one-page spread in a magazine.

I had hoped word-of-mouth would work, but things seem to stumble there, too. I guess the trick is either finding the people who like to tell others about what they read or making something so inspiring they can’t help but tell them.

I think you got it there. The trick is making an undeniably good product! Talk about pressure.

Marketing really scares me, because it’s like the opposite of how I normally operate. HEY GUYS LOOK HOW AWESOME I AM! So uncomfortable with that. Thinking about publishing a book and having to promote it makes me sweat.

Yeah. I have been able to publish a book. Three, in fact, though I’m working to update the covers for the second two. But the whole, “Look at me! I am awesome!” thing? Yeah, I don’t do it very well. Marketing is trying to come across as humble but not being humble by telling the world how awesome you are. It’s a conundrum.